Minor Girl from Tumkur Breaks Off Four-Month Old Forced Marriage
CWC swings into action to help a minor girl from Tumkur break off from a forced marriage.
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A 17-year old girl, from a village in Tumkur district, broke out of her four-month old marriage to have an independent life. She approached the Department of Women and Child Development for assistance.
According to The Hindu, the girl was forced to marry a man from the same district in May this year. She is now in the custody of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
Hemalatha hails from Hale Gubbi in Gubbi taluk of Tumkur district. While she was still pursuing her first year in a pre-University college, Hemalatha was forced by her parents to marry Harish, a resident of Baraguru in the Chikkanayakanahalli taluk of the district.
According to the newspaper report, her mother, Sharadamma, was determined to get her married to a man who was from their caste (Lingayat), as Hemalatha was then in a relationship with Thyagaraj, who belonged to the scheduled tribe, in the same village. Her mother had registered a case in the Gubbi Police Station under POCSO against Thyagaraj.
Thyagaraj, who was arrested then, is now out on bail.
Unhappy Marriage
Hemalatha had an unhappy marriage since her husband suspected her of having an affair and would frequently quarrel with her, the newspaper report said.
Hemalatha was not allowed to stay at her mother’s house. When she went to her parents’ house, her mother sent her back. Following repeated rejections, she decided to live a financially independent life.
The Hindu reported that on September 3, she contacted the Department of Women and Child Development and explained her plight.
Ambika, protection officer in Gubbi taluk has been quoted in The Hindu saying,
The officials immediately took her into custody and handed her over to Tumkur district CWC.
—Ambika, Protection Officer from Gubbi taluk to The Hindu
She was produced before the Tumkur district CWC on September 14.
Hemalatha wants to study and be financially independent.
The newspaper also quoted a CWC member:
Hemalatha does not want to go back to her husband, but wants to marry the boy she is in love with. She wants to continue her education and become financially independent. We want to protect her interests, as she is a minor.
—S Ramesh, Member, CWC
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